Carbon-Neutral Green City to Be Developed in Gosaeok-dong, Suwon

[Suwon Daily=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] A 'carbon-neutral green city' will be developed in the Gosaeok-dong area of Gwonseon-gu, Suwon City.

Suwon City announced on the 27th that it has been selected as a target site for the Ministry of Environment's 'Carbon-Neutral Green City Project' and has secured 24 billion won in national funding.

The Carbon-Neutral Green City Project is a project being launched for the first time this year by the Ministry of Environment. In line with the transition to a 'carbon-neutral society,' regions will take the lead in implementing carbon neutrality and establishing a system that allows carbon neutrality to spread. The project will be pursued over five years from this year, with a total investment of 40 billion won, consisting of 24 billion won in national funding, 4.8 billion won in provincial funding, and 11.2 billion won in city funding.

The city was selected as a green city target site after proposing 'Carbon-Neutral No. 1 Suwon Growing Through Green Economy.' The project plan involves developing the Gosaeok-dong area of Gwonseon-gu, where an administrative town, apartments, commercial districts, and industrial complexes are located, into a 'carbon-neutral green city.' The target area for the project has a 2㎞ radius centered on Gosaeok Station on the Suinbundang Line.

'Carbon-Neutral No. 1 Suwon Growing Through Green Economy' comprises seven strategic projects, including three strategic projects in the energy transition sector. A target has been set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2026.

The strategic projects are ▲Plus-Energy Administrative Town ▲Energy Self-Reliant Village ▲Green Hydrogen Carbon-Neutral Mobility ▲Carbon-Neutral Garden Carbon-Offset Forest ▲Lower Urban Temperature Climate Shelters ▲Waste Management Rain City Suwon ▲Carbon Secretary C.N app.

Suwon City plans to appropriately link the seven projects and pursue them in an integrated manner to maximize carbon reduction effects.

First, a 'Plus-Energy Demonstration Town' will be established in the administrative town, where about 10 public institutions are located. 'Carbon-Neutral Green City Smart Center,' 'BEMS (Building Energy Management System) and green remodeling,' 'rooftop and parking lot solar power generation,' and 'electric vehicle exclusive BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaics) charging tower' are scheduled to be installed.

The 'Energy Self-Reliant Village' will provide BEMS, mini solar panels, household smart power platforms, and solar energy generation facilities to shopping malls, office buildings, and multi-family and single-family residences.

Additionally, 'carbon-neutral mobility centered on green hydrogen' will be realized through 'green hydrogen' production and installation of solar-powered electric vehicle chargers, and carbon-neutral gardens, carbon-offset forests, and school forests will be created.

Key projects for 'lowering urban temperature and providing climate shelters' include ▲cool roofs ▲cool pavements ▲smart transit stops ▲apartment soundproof wall greening.

In addition, the city plans to install a smart waste collection system and road water spray devices and operate a 'Carbon Management Secretary C.N app.'

The city will also establish a cooperative system with civil society to pursue the project while creating a sustainable business model where citizens, businesses, and local governments work together.

The city will also establish and operate a 'Carbon-Neutral Support Center,' an intermediary organization serving as a bridge between the administration (Suwon City) and the private sector (collaborating organizations), and plans to continuously gather opinions from residents and experts.

A city official said, "The Carbon-Neutral Green City Project is about realizing carbon neutrality together with citizens in their living spaces and creating a virtuous cycle where companies' technological advancement leads to regional economic revitalization," adding "We will work closely with public institutions, civil society, and businesses to create a new carbon-neutral model."